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Wed March 23, 2016 - Midwest Edition
IAAP held its 48th Annual Convention through the first week in March in Springfield, Ill., along side the Aggregate Miner Safety Conference. Associates working in the aggregates industry had the opportunity to learn about the goods and services offered by 73 associate member companies. Three days of educational workshops and social events added to the event.
Gov. Bruce Rauner told a crowd of more than 400 IAAP members and guests that mining companies are the barometer of Illinois' economy and that successful companies run efficiently. Rauner wants to help Illinois be successful by ensuring government runs efficiently as well. Rauner indicated that, along with education, rebuilding the state's infrastructure is one of his administration's top two priorities.
Prior to Governor Rauner's speech, Randy Blankenhorn, IDOT secretary, addressed the convention and spoke about the new federal highway program saying it was good but not good enough to ensure the work that needs to be done gets done. With the looming revenue shortfall for Illinois' road program, he noted the need for a sustainable revenue source to ensure the general health of Illinois' infrastructure. Blankenhorn also discussed plans to ensure IDOT remains efficient and fills staffing gaps that will help make the agency better.